Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Whining when running cold? Any ideas?

[98ramtough]

Well all had seemed well on my truck I bought this week (98 12 valve) till this morning. I didn't plug it in last night, purposely, I wanted to see how it started when it was cold. It got down to 14 degrees last night.



When I started the truck all seemed well. I cycled the plugs twice and it fired up. I let it warm up for 10 minutes. When I went to get on the highway I could hear a really loud whine. When I got on the gas petal I could even hear a sucking noise. Any idea what this is? A guy said it could be the hydro boost, he said to check for frothy fluid in the power steering or the fluid being low. You guys have any other ideas or think this is it? I can't check till tonight, I took it back home and grabbed my car. Hope this trucks turns out to be reliable. The noise did seem to go away after driving 5 miles on the highway. But it was a pretty loud whine. Loud enough people started at you when you drove by.

 

[The patriot]

I've heard a similar noise in the extreme cold.

The frequency of the noise went with the RPM's, so my guess was the vacuum pump and/or the power steering pump.

 

[GAmes]

The power steering pump will make a lot of noise sometimes when it is cold. Has the fluid ever been changed? Redline makes an excellent synthetic fluid that is affordable on line if you can't find it locally. Royal Purple makes a synthetic also, but it is much more expensive.

 

[98ramtough]

The noise did seem to vary depending on RPM. Didn't matter if I was in gear or not. I am not sure if it has been changed, I just bought the truck used off a guy. It also made a sucking type noise when trying to get up to speed and felt sluggish, then all the sudden cleared up and ran fine...

 

[98ramtough]

Ok, dumb question guys. How do you change the power steering fluid? Is there a drain or something on this? Do you have to bleed it?

 

[ewcmr2]

You can't really change all of the power steering fluid. Siphoning the fluid out of the reservoir and refilling replaces about half of it. No need to bleed if you don't start the engine while the reservoir is empty.

 

[The patriot]

Ok, dumb question guys. How do you change the power steering fluid? Is there a drain or something on this? Do you have to bleed it?

Turkey baster works for me.

I've been using the Valvoline synthetic and change it annually.

Seems a bit quieter. It'll take several changes to get most of the old stuff out.

 

[SRath]

You can disconnect the low pressure return line while dumping in fresh fluid with the engine running. You'd better have a bunch of fluid ready to dump in, and some help, but it's the only way I know.



It's kinda like changing fluid in an automatic transmission: you can get some of it by dropping or draining the pan, but there's a whole lot more still in the torque converter. I knew a transmission rebuilder once who liked to drill, tap, and plug the torque converter just to make fluid changes easier and more complete in the future. He did it to one I had rebuilt and I never had any problem with the plug or converter.



BTW, for what it's worth: Most folks I know who paid to have their auto transmission flushed with one of those attachments that goes on in place of the pan have experienced transmission failure soon afterwards, so I take that as a sign that that type of power-flush that transmission shops offer is very bad idea and guarantees them a return customer very soon.

 

[The patriot]

The only way that I know of to change out the entire system is to remove the steering box and turn it over to drain it.

That's why I'm doing the turkey baster thing.

 

[GAmes]

I've been using the Valvoline synthetic and change it annually.

I used to use Valvoline. They don't make a synthetic anymore. Thus, the Redline.



98ramtough, the turkey baster method is to suck as much fluid out of the reservoir as you can. You can use a turkey baster, but a suction tool that looks like a grease gun is available at many parts stores for about $10. I have a small container that I place on the frame to put the old fluid into which saves some of the mess. Fill the reservoir, start the engine and move the wheel lock to lock several times. It is a good idea to take the weight off the tires or go back and forth in the driveway. I do the latter since the power brakes run off the power steering. Repeat about 6 times and the majority of fluid will be new. I used 2 to 3 quarts the first time I did it. You might also want to remove the pressure line before you start and clean the screen. https://www.turbodieselregister.com...7-possible-low-power-steering-assist-fix.html To disassemble the regulator you will need a vice and an 11mm box end wrench, then clean with brake cleaner.

 

[98ramtough]

I think I might have a bigger issue.



I didn't drive the truck much yesterday when I noticed the issue. I went home last night and sucked out about 12 ounces of power steering fluid and replaced with Lucas power steeing fluid. The issue didn't get any better.



i am also noticing a huge loss in power all the sudden and its hard to get the truck over 2000 RPMS. When I come back to an idle it blows a little white smoke for a minute too. I can't figure out what the whine is. It does it in neutral when the engine revs so its not the transmission (and obviously the white smoke woudnt be from the transmission). Could it be a lift pump, injector, turbo? I am just at a loss here. I have only had the truck a few days and am pretty bummed to be parked already... .

 

[The patriot]

I still have a few quarts in the shop. A quart lasts a while.
Been using their brake fluid too.

 

[B.G. Smith]

You may have a boot on the line from the turbo to the cooler or after the cooler leaking. That could cause a strange noise and would cause loss of power. bg

 

[98ramtough]

Could this cause white smoke also???

 

[B.G. Smith]

Don't know about the white smoke at idle, I would think it would cause black smoke on acceleration if it is an air leak. bg

 

[DavidC]

I read a post on here not long ago. The person called Valvoline about the synthetic fluid and they still make it but under a different name like power steering max fluid or something, I haven't really looked on the shelves but it would probably be designated as synthetic. As far as the wining use a turkey baster refill with synthetic, take a ride and redo it again. That was the way I did mine when I was living in -10 -20 temps. I just changed the fluid in my daughters ford escort and if I put the pedal to the floor the engine would only crank but not start. I haven't tried that with the Cummins so I do not know if it's the same. On her car I put a hose over the return line and into a gallon milk jug then cranked the engine which then pumped fluid into the container. I would crank for a few seconds then refill the reservoir until the fluid was clear.



Dave

 

[DavidC]

A bad or waxed fuel filter will give you some nice white smoke and limit your power and RPM's.



Dave

 

[DavidC]

Okay, for anyone interested in Valvoline fluid. I was sniffing around Valvolines site with nothing really stating synthetic. The original was called Syntec and states a synthetic blend.

This is their fluid now and does not state synthetic anything

Valvoline.com > Products > Power Steering Products > Power Steering Fluid > Valvoline® Power Steering Fluid



Then I looked under the professional line and found this

Valvoline.com > Products > Power Steering System Service > > Power Steering System Service

Notice at the bottom it say's to refill with new VPS synthetic blend fluid.



So it looks as tho Valvoline still makes a synthetic blend according to this info.



Dave

 

[GAmes]

Then I looked under the professional line and found this

Valvoline.com > Products > Power Steering System Service > > Power Steering System Service

Notice at the bottom it say's to refill with new VPS synthetic blend fluid.



So it looks as tho Valvoline still makes a synthetic blend according to this info.



Dave

I think that particular page hasn't been updated. I knew that the Valvoline was a blend, but the price was right and you could get it anywhere. When it was time for a flush no one had it or could order it. The Redline has worked well so far, and I bought enough to not have to order anymore for awhile.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Ok old dog, very old trick but does anyone hold their steering against a lock (left or right, no political bias) to work the fluid and warm it up before hitting the road. I know sounds foolish but we used to do this on our tractors to force it through passages and 'take the chill' off (like bypassing thru the overpressure ports). Just a fogies' $. 02!!!